Chance for players to impress in T20 format

Mumbai

Pandya, who has already earned a spot in the Indian team to take on Australia later this month in a series of T20 Internationals, smashed 34 runs in an over from Delhi seamer Akash Sudan on his way to a whirlwind 81 off 51 balls with six sixes and five fours in the preliminary round tie at the Reliance Stadium in Baroda.

Though Delhi won the game, Baroda - who had won the title twice in the last four editions - too qualified for the Super Eights and have been placed in Group A along with hosts Mumbai, Kerala and Vidarbha.

And 22-year-old Pandya, who grabbed eyeballs playing for Mumbai Indians in last year's IPL, has enhanced his reputation and he would be keen to keep up his impressive performance in front of the selectors during the first part of the year when T20 games are the main flavour.

This tournament has gained added importance, coming ahead of the India-Australia T20 series Down Under to be followed by the Asia Cup T20 competition in Bangladesh and the World T20 Championship to be hosted by India in March-April.

Outstanding displays in this tournament could gain the performers tickets to the Big League in T20.

Delhi, led by Gautam Ghambir, have been placed in Group B along with defending champions Gujarat, who had won the crown in 2012-13 too, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.

All Group A games are to be played at the Wankhede Stadium, which means hosts and 40-time Ranji champions Mumbai - gunning for their first T20 title like Delhi - will be playing in their home ground.

All Group B matches are scheduled at the MCA's Sharad Pawar Academy ground at the Bandra-Kurla Complex.